Spike-extractor.



No. 710,468. Patented Oct. 7, I902.

E. J. KENNEDY.

SPIKE EXTR ACTOR.

Application filed May 29, 1902.) (N0 Medal.)

N v w Wif e ss 4,

UNlTlED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

EVERETT J. KENNEDY, OF TYRONE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPlKE-EXTRACTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 710,468, dated October 7, 1902. Application filed May 29,1902. seen No. 109,552. (No' model.)

To bl/l/ whom, it inf/,1; concern:

Be it known that I, EVERETT .1. KENNEDY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tyrone, in the county of Blair and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Spike-Extractor, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in spike-extractors.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of spike-extractors and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and elficient device of great strength and durability adapted to be readily placed between two adjacent rails and engaged with a spike and capable of being operated by an ordinary spike-extractin g crowbar or similar tool which cannot be directly engaged with the spike.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a spike-extractor constructed in accordance with this invention and shown engaged with a spike. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in both figures of the drawings.

1 designates a spike-extractor consisting of a short bar or shank provided at its lower end with a claw 2 and having a series of laterally-proj ectinglugs 3, arranged in pairs and extending from the opposite side edges of the shank or bar. The claw 2, which is formed integral with the lower end of the shank or bar,consists of curved arms of approximately U shape, having inwardly-extending lower engaging ends 4, which are tapered, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and which form a contracted mouth or entrance to the opening 5, which is adapted to receive the head of a spike 6. The inwardly-extending lower portions of the arms are adapted to engage under the head of a spike, and they are spaced apart sufficiently to receive the shank of the spike, and in engaging the device with a spike the claw is slipped over the head by moving it substantially horizontal after arranging the opening 5 in line with the head.

The device is especially adapted for operating on spikeslocated between adjacent rails at switches, guard-rails, and the like, and it is arranged in an upright position between two rails 7 and 8, as shown in Fig. 1, and is adapted to be engaged by an ordinary spikepuller or crowbar which cannot be introduced between the rails. The laterally-projecting lugs 3, which are formed integral with the shank or bar, are provided with flat lower faces 9, forming shoulders which are adapted to be engaged by an ordinary spike-puller or crowbar, and the latter in practice is fulcrumed on one of the rails, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and in this manner a spike may be readily extracted. The shank or bar is provided at its top with a circular head 10, having a central aperture.

It will be seen that the device is exceedingly simple and inexpensive in construction, that it possesses great strength and durability, and that it is adapted to be placed between rails and to be used in other places where there is insufficient space to admit of the operation of the ordinary spike-extractor or crowbar. It will also be seen that the shoulders 9 are arranged at difierent elevations to enable the device to be gripped at different points to arrange the crowbar or other tool properly on a rail of any height and also to enable the spike to be extracted with a continuous upward or vertical pull to avoid bending or breaking the said spike.

What I claim is 1. A spike-extractor designed for use between rails and comprising a shank or bar provided at its lower end with a claw and having a series of projecting shoulders arranged at intervals between its ends and adapted to be engaged by a bar or lever, substantially as described.

2. A spike-extractor designed for use between rails and comprising a shank or bar provided at its lower end with a rigid claw and having a series of laterally-projecting lugs arranged in pairs and located at intervals between the ends of the shank or bar, substantially as described.

3. A spike-extractor designed for use between rails and comprising a shank or bar, a rigid claw arranged at the lower end of the shank or bar and consisting of a pair of integral curved arms of approximately U shape having inwardly-extending spikeengaging lower ends, and laterally-extending lugs arranged in pairs and disposed at intervals along the shank or bar and having lower flat faces forming shoulders,substantially as described.

' In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses. I EVERETT J. KENNEDY.

itn esses: I C. O. TEMPLETON, l ALLIE WALKER. 

